VIRGIN HOLIDAYS

ITN Productions and HLA joined forces to co-produce the world’s first live streamed global ad from 18 locations around the world for Virgin Holidays. The 60 second advert aired during ITV’s X Factor on Saturday night, and required 19 simultaneous shots.

Directed by HLA’s Simon Ratigan more than 90 crew were deployed worldwide to make the ad possible. Using ITN’s unique infrastructure and connectivity the advert was cut live by a gallery director and vision mixer exactly as if it was live TV. The ad was then played straight down the line to ITV from the gallery.

Planning for the advert took 3 months, 10 different country recces, and finding a cast of over 30. All under the creative agency behind the #SeizeTheHoliday campaign, AMV BBDO.

The live commercial was designed to show a UK audience that people just like them are experiencing their ideal holidays, at this very moment.

Production teams filmed 18 different scenes LIVE from eight key Virgin Holidays destinations:

Hawaii: Catching a morning surf, horse-riding and fly boarding

San Francisco: Cruising the Pacific Coast Highway on a motorbike, and taking a rocket boat ride under the Golden Gate Bridge

Orlando: Disney’s Magic Kingdom, and exploring Florida in a Convertible

Barbados: Relaxing on a pristine beach, and snorkeling through a coral reef

Dubai: Dining in Atlantis’ iconic restaurant, cruising past the city sites on a riverboat, or relaxing at the tranquil Al Maha

New York City: Soaring over the city in a helicopter and watching street performers